The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department has awarded the City of Fort Worth more than $6.8 million to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for a variety of services including emergency rental assistance, homelessness prevention, employment-related services to reduce poverty, and services to the elderly and those with AIDS.
The city will allocate funding to nonprofit agencies so they can meet residents’ urgent food and shelter needs as quickly as possible. A portion of the funds will be awarded to these partners immediately; the remaining funds will be awarded to additional nonprofits through a competitive request for proposals process. Proposal packets will be available online beginning May 11.
Help will be available to all areas of the city. To allow Fort Worth to begin using funds quickly, the federal government has waived the customary 30-day public comment period. Submit your comments by May 9 to Sharon Burkley.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act helps local governments respond to impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. It includes additional grant funds under the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs. All funds must be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.
Fort Worth’s Neighborhood Services Department will oversee allocation of relief funds.
